'Okay,' Zoe said, as she and Juliet sat on the sofa in the sitting room, drinking hot chocolate and eating mince pies, straight from the oven. 'Why do you keep giving me funny looks? You've been doing it ever since we got back from The Grange, and that was hours ago.'

'Did you and Luke do anything?'

Zoe's cheeks flushed, but she was sitting near the fire and the logs were roaring as the flames leapt high into the throat of the chimney. 'Like what?'

'Like telling Harrison I'd be ice skating yesterday morning around ten o'clock. Or perhaps, suggesting he go to the lake for some reason or another.'

'Why would we do that?'

'You tell me. That's precisely what I'd like to know.'

'What makes you think it had anything to do with us? Perhaps he simply decided to go for a walk to the lake yesterday morning.'

'Perhaps he did. And I'm very glad he was there, believe me. But it is a bit of a coincidence, isn't it? I mean, you did admit that you and Luke arranged for us all to be at Merry's Christmas Tree Farm at the same time. Is it too much of a stretch to wonder if you arranged for me and Harrison to be at the lake at the same time?'

Zoe sighed. 'Oh, okay. It was us. Luke told Harrison he had seen something on the lake and he wasn't sure what it was. He knew Harrison would go and investigate. But you must admit, you loved being on the lake again, didn't you? Until you fell through the ice, of course.'

Juliet laughed, in spite of the situation. 'Yes. I'll admit I was in absolute heaven until I dropped like a stone into that freezing water.'

Zoe shivered. 'Actually, it doesn't bear thinking about does it? What could've happened, I mean. Just imagine if Harrison hadn't gone. No one would've seen you fall through the ice. No one would've been there to rescue you. Bloody hell, sis. You might have drowned. And it would've been my fault. I'm so sorry. I truly am.'

'Hey.' Juliet reached out a hand and rubbed Zoe's knee. 'Don't beat yourself up about it. Harrison came, he saw, he saved me.' She gave a little laugh. 'That's got a certain ring to it. Anyway. The point is, it all ended well. And I even got a bonus. I got to spend a night in my old room again. And I never, ever imagined that would happen. It was well worth almost drowning for.'

'Was it weird? Being in your room again?'

'Yes and no. It's just the same as it was and I'm not sure whether that was good or bad. I know I didn't want to leave this morning.'

'Then why did you? Harrison said you could've stayed.'

'I didn't want to stay, either. I know that sounds crazy, and I can't explain. I think perhaps I was worried I might not ever want to leave. Better to get out whilst I could. Being dragged out of the house kicking and screaming wouldn't be a good look. Especially as it wouldn't be the first time.'

'You didn't exactly kick and scream when we moved out. Not that I can remember, anyway.'

'Not on the actual day, perhaps. But there was a lot of kicking and screaming leading up to it, I promise you. Part of that was to do with Harrison, though. Because I thought he'd lied to me. And part of it was because I was so angry with myself. Anyway, what's done is done. I won't be going there again.'

'Never?'

Juliet shrugged. 'There's no reason to.'

'But ... Aren't you and Harrison friends now? Or at least on speaking terms?'

'I suppose so. But to be honest, I'll be happy once he's gone. And I hope I don't see him much while he's here.'

'Why not?'

'Oh Zoe. I really can't explain. I just think it would be better for everyone if Harrison and I kept our distance. Why were you trying to throw us together, by the way?'

'Ah. I'm not sure you're going to like this.'

'Try me.'

Zoe smiled and leant forward. 'You know I told you that Luke and I are friends?'

'Y-es.'

'Well the truth is ... We're a bit more than friends. A lot more than friends, actually. Oh, I might as well just say it, because it's got to come out sooner or later. Luke and I are dating. It'll be six months at Christmas.'

'What?' Juliet was astonished.

'That was why it was so important to us that you and Harrison get on. Things are serious between us and we're tired of keeping it quiet. Of hiding it from everyone. I haven't even told Mum and Dad. And that makes me feel terrible. But I didn't want to tell them without telling you, and besides, if I told Mum, she'd be on the phone to you immediately. So I had to keep it secret. And Luke hasn't told anyone either. Not Harrison, or his grandad. That's why Luke asked Harrison to come for Christmas. He plans to tell him now.'

'Wow. I don't know what to say. How have you managed to date for six months without anyone finding out? I'm astonished. You deserve a medal. Where do you go on your dates? Or shouldn't I ask?'

Zoe sighed. 'We go to the cinema, and restaurants, and pubs, just like any other couple. But we have to drive to somewhere like Michaelmas Bay, or Snowflake Cove, where we're not so well known. Although we did see Robin Merry once, shortly after he started dating Raven. They were in Snowflake Inn and we'd gone there for a drink. I swore him to secrecy, and he was pretty understanding. In the summer, we had lots of picnics in the grounds of The Grange. Luke knows Daphne's routine, so we knew we wouldn't be seen. But we're in love, and we want everyone to know we're a couple. I know it might be hard on you, and Mum and Dad. But we didn't plan to fall in love. These things just happen.'

'Don't I know it. Oh, Zoe. I'm happy for you. I'm happy for you both. I just hope his grandad and Harrison feel the same.'

'I don't think Harrison will be a problem. And Luke says he doesn't care what his grandad thinks. But I'm pretty sure he does. I just have to hope the old man accepts me. It's not as if Luke is going to inherit the house or anything, so I won't be moving back in, if our relationship runs the course. And that's something else Luke is going to talk to Harrison about during this holiday. Luke and I are planning to start a business together.'

'What?' There was one surprise after another, and Juliet wasn't sure how many more she could take. 'A business? What sort of business?'

'A property business, like Harrison's. Only smaller. Luke hates his job in the city. He hates commuting. He hates designing buildings only to be told they're not quite what the company had in mind. He's always been good with his hands and as an architect, he's got a lot of knowledge others haven't. And I've always been good with interior design. So basically, he'll redesign, renovate and rebuild the structure as necessary, and I'll design and style the interiors. I'll keep my secretarial job in Mistletythe until we've got some money coming in. But Luke is thirty in February, and just like Harrison did, Luke will get his trust fund monies on his thirtieth birthday. I don't know how much it is, but it should help us get started. Oh, and we're calling the business, Bells & Bows Building & Design.'

For a moment, Juliet was speechless. She stared at her younger sister in disbelief. Zoe stared back, a little nervously. And then Juliet put her half full mug of chocolate on the side table and jumped to her feet, pulling Zoe up and hugging her tight.

'Oh, Zoe. I'm so happy for you. Truly, truly happy. I wish you every success. You deserve it. But I think you'd better tell Mum and Dad. There have been enough secrets and misunderstandings in this family to last a lifetime. And we did all promise to work on our communication skills. The sooner you tell them the better.'

'I know. You're right. I'll tell them right now. Hey, sis. It won't be too dreadful being Luke's sister-in-law, will it? He hasn't asked me yet, but I'm pretty sure he will. And I'm going to say yes.'

Juliet laughed. 'Of course you're going to say yes. And no. It won't be too dreadful. And now that Harrison's saved my life, I suppose I should try and be nice to him. I just wish his girlfriend wasn't quite so awful.'

Zoe held Juliet at arm's length. 'Girlfriend? Harrison doesn't have a girlfriend. At least, not one Luke's heard of.'

'Yes he has. It's Kiki.'

'Kiki?' Now it was Zoe who looked astonished. 'Harrison's dating Kiki? That's the first I've heard of it. And Luke definitely doesn't know. He told me Kiki is Harrison's executive assistant. She has been for the last four years. Harrison knows her brother, apparently, and when his last assistant decided not to return from maternity leave, Kiki stepped in temporarily. But they get on really well, workwise, so he offered her a permanent position.'

'Precisely.'

'No. A permanent job. Not a permanent relationship.'

'Well, I can assure you, they're definitely having a relationship. She came into my room last night, fresh from having sex with him in the shower. And she told me herself that they're a couple. That's why she's here. To meet Harrison's grandad. So it must be fairly serious.'

'Bloody hell. Luke honestly doesn't know that. I wonder if Harrison's going to tell him? Perhaps that's why Harrison agreed to come back for Christmas when Luke asked him. Maybe Luke isn't the only one making plans for the future. Maybe Harrison has some plans of his own.'

The thought of Harrison making plans with Kiki made Juliet feel a bit sick.

'I think delayed shock may be kicking in,' she said. 'I'm feeling dizzy. You go and tell Mum and Dad your news. I'm going to go to bed. Wake me in time for dinner, please. Although I'm not sure I could eat a thing the way I feel right now.'